A while back, just before we went on vacation, I e-mailed my state Senator to find out the latest on ABLE accounts in Missouri. According to his aid, it looks like they’ll be up and running in a nine-state consortium starting this fall. They also sent me a linkto the Missouri Treasurers page with more information.

I guess my next step is to come up with a list of questions on my options and then talk to a financial advisor regarding what to do for my son. Among those questions will also be one about life insurance as my place of employment is allowing me to update and/or increase my current plan for now and even after retirement. So much to do.

So today I came across this article and while it’s not geared towards those with special abilities, I thought it might work in a way to give me a baseline towards what skills my son should have. Then maybe I can work backwards.

So today we have my son’s second to last IEP at his school. I must say that by going to several workshops recently including the one entitled Beyond Guardianship: Supported Decision-Making by Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities by Jonathan Martinis (and put on by the Missouri chapter of the AAIDD) was really helpful.

I felt prepared in what to expect for his senior year and transition from school next year. At the same time, I still have a lot to do. Maybe that’s why I’ve been feeling a little down tonight.

Well, the first thing I did was e-mail my son’s Special School District or SSD person at school and while I did get some of the answers I was looking for, I also feel like I have more questions to ask. I feel like I have a better idea of what I want his future to look like.

While I’m happy with what he’s accomplished, I feel like there is so much more he can do. It feels good to have knowledge which in turn gives you power. Now I just need to keep doing what I’m doing.